Manila by Night, also known as City After Dark, is a controversial 1980 Filipino film directed by Ishmael Bernal and starring Gina Alajar and Charito Solis. Released at the height of the Marcos regime, the film uncovers the other face of Manila by depicting the ugly aspects of life in the city – unemployment, prostitution, drug addiction and lack of decent housing. Considered one of Bernal's masterpieces, it is an epic multi-narrative of people who have shady pasts and are trying to exist in an unforgiving world.[1]

Manila by Night
Re-release poster for its screening at the Manila Film Center in 1985.
Directed by	Ishmael Bernal
Written by	Ishmael Bernal Ricardo Lee
Produced by	Lily Y. Monteverde
Starring	Charito Solis Alma Moreno Rio Locsin Cherie Gil Lorna Tolentino Gina Alajar Orestes Ojeda
Cinematography	Ely Cruz Sergio Lobo
Edited by	Augusto Salvador
Music by	The Vanishing Tribe
Production companies	Regal Films Experimental Cinema of the Philippines
Distributed by	Regal Films
Release date	November 28, 1980 (1980-11-28)
Running time	151 minutes
Country	Philippines
Languages	Filipino English

Synopsis

The film's events take place in the course of several nights, involving various protagonists and the city itself.

Cast

Production

Lily Monteverde of Regal Films approached Ishmael Bernal to direct a large-scale production to commemorate the second anniversary of the production outfit. Bernal had previously directed Salahawan for Monteverde's Regal Films. For the production, Bernal came up with a sequence list, based on different locales, but decided to have the scenes improvised by a cast assembled from Regal Film's stable, as well as industry friends.[2]

Restoration

The film was restored in 4K resolution by the Philippine Film Archive, the film archives division of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Central Digital Lab as part of the "Save Our Cinema Restoation Program".[3] The restored version was premiered as part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2020 exhibition.[4]

Reception

Critical response

The movie's original title is Manila by Night, but was later renamed to City After Dark. Former first lady Imelda Marcos asked it to be changed and banned for export. Marcos believes that the movie "maligns her city". The said movie was Ishmael Bernal's masterpiece. The characters are unique and realistic. The whole movie celebrates the night life in the streets of Manila, with the characters revolving around hookers, bisexuals, dope addicts and criminals.[5][6]

Accolades

References

External links

• City After Dark at IMDb
• City After Dark at Rotten Tomatoes

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